"Right here in the Silicon Forest, SolarWorld is leading the way," Kulongoski said.

Klebensberger, calling the right to have renewable energy a "civil right," urged Oregonians to push for more government support and incentives for the sector. He said the Hillsboro plant, the largest solar factory in the Americas, produced its first solar cell last week and is capable of producing enough material each year to generate 100 megawatts of electricity.

By its buildout in 2011, it is set to produce enough for 500 megawatts a year, enough to power 80,000 U.S. homes.